The Northern Light: January 30-February 5, 2020

Jan. 30 - Feb. 5, 2020

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Local family restores historic firetruck, page 3

Mural at Hill’s Chevron features Blaine, page 7

Arts & Jazz fundraiser this weekend, page 13

PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230

Source provides directive telling CBP officers to detain Iranianborn travelers B y P a t r i c k G r u bb

(See CBP, page 13)

s The city of Blaine plans to build a new road on the lower level of the Peace Portal corridor between F and H streets in downtown Blaine, roughly parallel to the BNSF railroad tracks, to encourage the development of a new enclave of mixed use properties.

Photo by Jami Makan

City plans to develop alley below Peace Portal Drive

By Jami Makan The city of Blaine has plans to develop the alley that is located below and to the west of Peace Portal Drive and is roughly parallel to the BNSF railroad tracks. By building a road on the lower level of the Peace Portal corridor between F and H streets, the city hopes to encourage mixed uses in the area, bringing in more sales tax and other revenue.

With the development of the west side of Peace Portal Drive proceeding at a steady pace, development of the lower level could be an interesting next step. The project could create a hidden enclave of businesses, offices and even residential spaces, adding an exciting new dimension to Blaine’s downtown core.

The alley next to the railroad tracks that will be developed is known as the “Peace Portal West Alley” or the “BNSF Alley,” a reference to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway company that operates cross-

border freight trains that run through downtown Blaine.

Using a grant from the Port of Bellingham, the city of Blaine hired an engineer in 2017 in order to study the project. The grant came from the port’s Small City Economic Development Fund, and it funded 50 percent of a $30,000 design for a road along the lower section of Peace Portal Drive between F Street and H Street. “The fact that we were able to get grant funding for the design was terrific,” said Blaine public works director Ravyn Whitewolf.

The engineering firm, Bellingham-based Pacific Survey and Engineering Inc., did a topographic survey and developed plan drawings for the city’s access easement that is adjacent to the BNSF mainline. “They took that [access easement], surveyed it and essentially developed plan drawings for bid in that easement,” said Whitewolf.

The new road adjacent to the railroad tracks would be funded entirely by the city of Blaine, using revenue from the city’s

Transportation Benefit District (TBD).

“With Hughes Avenue and [the second phase of] the Peace Portal Community Trail done, we decided to go ahead and fund this entirely with local funds for (See BNSF Alley, page 2)

INSIDE

In a bulletin issued by the tactical analytical unit (TAU) in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Seattle Field Office, officers were instructed to conduct vetting on all individuals who met certain criteria, including being Iranian nationals or having traveled to Iran. The bulletin, labeled “Iranian Supreme Leader Vows Forceful Revenge After U.S. Kills Maj. General Qassim Suleimani in Baghdad – Threat Alert High,” presented updated procedures described as being “best practices learned in the last 24 hours.” Suleimani was killed in the early hours of Friday, January 3 by a U.S. drone strike near the airport in Baghdad, Iraq.

The undated bulletin was given to The Northern Light by local immigration attorney Len Saunders, who said he received it from an anonymous source. The document has been reviewed by an individual familiar with CBP communications who described it as being consistent with previous agency directives. The individual said that such directives would normally be emailed or read aloud at briefings that occur at the beginning of shift changes. The fact that it was given to someone outside CBP was “shocking,” said the individual.

Presumably, the directive was published following a teleconference on or about January 3 between field office directors and CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan and Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez “where the field was asked to remain vigilant and increase their situational awareness given the evolving threat environment,” according to CBP. The following day, Blaine-area ports of entry conducted “extreme vetting” of more than 60 travelers with Iranian backgrounds including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, in some cases detaining them for up to 12 hours. Following attention by local, national and international media, the operation was suspended. At the time, a national CBP spokesperson stated that there had been no directive to detain Iranian-Americans based on their country of origin. A local CBP press officer said that he had nothing to add to the comments made by the national office.

The directive obtained by The Northern Light states: “Effective immediately, TAU will

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The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

BNSF Alley ...

From page 1

construction,” said Whitewolf.

Whitewolf estimated that the new road could be completed by the end of 2020. “With the passage of the 2020 budget, public works will be shaking the dust off the design and building some specifications so that it can be bid and built in 2020,” she said.

The building at 685 Peace Portal Drive sets a precedent for

future development of the alley.

The three-story, 5,300-squarefoot building houses the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and other businesses as well as a luxury Airbnb apartment. “There are three levels – they built up and down,” said Whitewolf. “That is the kind of stuff that we want to see coming into our downtown.”

Whitewolf credited city manager Michael Jones for helping to get the project off the ground.

“I have to give our city manager credit for this,” she said. “It was

his effort to get this started.”

Pedestrians would access the lower level of Peace Portal Drive by using staircases that are built into the G Street and H Street plazas. Currently, the only way for vehicles to access the lower level of Peace Portal is by going down the F Street hill west towards the railroad tracks and making a left turn. The new road would include a turnaround area for vehicles at the bottom of the H Street Plaza’s stairs, where the project would end.

Ballots out for February 11 election on replacement levy

By Oliver Lazenby Voters in the Blaine school district should have received ballots in the mail by January 28 for the February 11 special election with a Blaine school district replacement levy vote.

Whatcom County mailed ballots on January 22 and those who didn’t receive ballots by January 28 can download one online at votewa.gov.

Unlike in regular elections, the county’s voter’s pamphlet for this special election should be included in the same envelope as the ballot. If not, it’s also available online at the auditor’s office website. The pamphlet includes a statement for the levy, but no “against” statement was submitted. The district, as legally required, advertised for a committee to write an argument against the levy.

The proposed four-year maintenance and operations levy will replace one that expires at the end of this year. The district would use the money to support “educational maintenance and

daily operations, including teachers, staff, classroom materials and textbooks,” according to a resolution the school board passed on November 25.

Taxpayers would pay less for the replacement levy than the current one. Currently, property owners in the Blaine school district pay about $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed value annually for the maintenance and operations levy.

The replacement levy would tax voters at approximately $1.26 per $1,000 in assessed value in 2021, and rise to about $1.30 per $1,000 by 2024.

The school district replacement levy is the only thing on the ballot for voters living in the Blaine school district.

The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office must receive voter registration or address changes

by February 3. Potential voters can register in person at the auditor’s office until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can learn more at the auditor’s office election web page at bit.ly/2RU3KnP.

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The tradition of a community coming together a year celebrate the Artsonce & Jazz is antoauction lover’s efforts and with accomplishments delight live and silent of our students and featuring the tradition of passing auctions donations Art tofrom a new generation. businesses and individuals believe our students as Arts that & Jazz is an in auction lover’s delight much as we do. 100% of funds with raised live and silent auctions featuring benefit scholarships and donations from businesses experiences beyond the and individuals that believe in Blaine our students curriculum in the Schoolas muchDistrict. as we do. of funds Arts100% & Jazz is a raised benefit scholarships experiences community based,andfamily fun beyond the curriculum in the celebration of the Fine ArtsBlaine programs School District.in the Blaine School District and is truly a highlight Arts & Jazz is a community based, family fun celebrationofofthe theWinter Fine Arts programs in the calendar.

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January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

3

Historic 1949 Blaine firetruck gets restoration from local family

By Grace McCarthy For the Renskers and Ooms family, the fire engine had always been more than just a truck. It was a prized 1949 American LaFrance, a sturdy, agile rig that exceeded 40 years’ service as a frontline engine to the Blaine Fire Department – about double the average turnover rate for engines today.

The rig was a Blaine staple.

Its retirement in 1989 lent it to regular community appearances with the volunteer firefighters from Santa Claus coming to town to celebrating Borderite state playoffs.

But it also symbolized family for Chet and Lane Renskers and Sabrina Ooms, the father, son and daughter-in-law at North Whatcom Fire and Rescue’s Blaine station on Odell Road. Lane and Sabrina are the last two structural volunteer firefighters who respond from home, and Chet is a volunteer with the Tender Support Group, a group of volunteers who respond to calls as requested to supply large amounts of water.

The 71-year-old rig meant a lifetime of memories: Chet was first introduced to the rig in 1982 when he moved to Blaine and became a volunteer firefighter.

It became the first firetruck Lane drove when he turned 18 and, eventually, the truck he and Sabrina watched their daughters grow up on as the two volunteer firefighters brought it to parades.

“To us, it’s priceless because it’s a part of Blaine history, but it’s also who we are as firefighters,” said Sabrina, who is in her 18th year of service.

The Blaine Volunteer Firefighters Association, which acquired the truck after its retirement from the Blaine Fire Department, lacked storage and sold the truck in 2013. Lane, who helped sell the truck, said he felt good knowing it was going to someone in east Whatcom County who used old engines to educate children on fire safety.

But the family deeply missed the truck. After years of contemplating reaching out to the truck’s

owner, Lane heard one evening that it was for sale from the same person he had sold it to. He and Sabrina jumped off the couch and headed to the seller’s house.

“It was late, we didn’t even have cash and we couldn’t even stop by the bank on our way over there,” Sabrina said. “We just had to get to him. We said, ‘We’ll come back on Monday with the money.’”

On February 2, 2018, Sabrina and Lane drove the ’49 American LaFrance home. This time it wasn’t the Blaine Volunteer Firefighters Association’s and it wasn’t another buyer’s. It was theirs.

“It felt really good to see that the engine was not only back, but it was ours as a family,” Sabrina said. Their daughters, now grown, acted like kids when they played on the truck again, she said.

Two years later, the engine is now sheltered from the winter in Chet’s backyard where the family works to repair the truck while navigating time and money constraints. Bringing back memories to both the Blaine community and their family is the reason they are working to once again drive the firetruck on the streets of Blaine.

“We’re trying to show people that we’re trying to bring the history back,” Sabrina said.

The project to refurbish the engine to a similar mid-20th century exterior has shown Sabrina and Lane a community of other people looking to restore the same type of retro firetruck in the Pacific Northwest. This journey has led them to gather parts as far as Oregon, and as close to home as surplus from North Whatcom Fire and Rescue – something Lane said helped make their vision a reality with the district’s continued support and generosity.

“As far as physically working on it, it doesn’t seem like very much,” Chet said. “But you put in all the background hours, and there’s quite a few hours Sabrina and Lane have put into it.”

The couple was even able to track down the engine’s ’49 sale documents with the help of

Blaine resident and previous fire department volunteer Don Hrutfiord, which have guided them to find the right parts for the rig that was originally sold to the Blaine Fire Department for $16,075.

“It’s very uncommon for the original engine to come back to the city it originated from,” Lane said, who hasn’t met many other people during his search for parts with similar circumstances.

Sabrina and Lane hope to keep the engine in their family as long as possible while also sharing it for the benefit of Blaine residents. Although the couple said they will never be finished restoring the engine, their ambition is to eventually have only small repairs that allow them to tinker with it as they want. The restoration will be an inspiration from the engine’s past instead of a complete reversion to its original state. This way, the family plans to keep details like the original paint’s wear and tear as a tribute to the engine’s history.

Blaine has had a lot of volunteer firefighters, some of whom may not be able to physically volunteer anymore, but the engine still remains a part of them, Chet said. For Chet, the truck represents the legacy of volunteer firefighting.

“There’s always that flame inside of you that will only dim but never go out,” Lane said of his 20 years fighting fires. “Ours has never gone out.”

Currently, the goal is for the red engine to be running by the Fourth of July parade this year.

Once the firetruck is mobile, Lane hopes to take it to nearby car shows and as many community events as his family’s schedule allows.

“We want to keep it Blaine,” Lane said. “We want to allow other people to get those memories that they had growing up and seeing it.”

If anyone has more information or photos they would like to share as the Renskers family works to piece together and share more of the fire engine’s history, they are encouraged to email lrenskers@outlook.com.

s Lane Renskers and his youngest daughter, Gracie, on July 4, 2010 in the Fourth of July parade.

Photo courtesy of Sabrina Ooms

s Alfred Kruse, the fire chief for the Blaine Fire Department in 1949 on the day the truck was delivered.

Photo courtesy of Sabrina Ooms

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s The original invoice for the 1949 American LaFrance fire engine when it was sold to the Blaine Fire Department.

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4

The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

Opinion

The Northern L ght The Northern Light is published weekly

by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications.

Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.

Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste.

Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.

New walking trail now open at Blaine Harbor

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com

s To the delight of walkers and dogs, the Port of Bellingham’s new walking trail at Blaine Harbor is open and getting a lot of use. The 1,000-foot-long section of gravel trail runs along the water’s edge behind the new marine storage building on Milhollin Drive to the public boat launch.

Photo by Oliver Lazenby

Editor Jami Makan jami@pointrobertspress.com

Letters

Copy Editor Aly Siemion aly@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Intern Grace McCarthy prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Kristin Siemion sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXV, No 32 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently Verified by:

Next issue: Feb. 6 Ads due: Jan. 31

The Editor: Winston Churchill once remarked, “Democracy is the worst form of government – right after all the other forms of government.”

At this moment in history, both of our major political parties and both of our houses of Congress may be illustrating his observation.

Ken Ely Blaine The Editor and the city of Blaine: In celebration of my 25 years in business in Blaine, I would like to offer the city a gesture of hope, promise and a better future in town by gifting the city a beautiful four-foot-tall Ponderosa tree for the Martin Street parklet.

My youngest little brother and I took a road trip in the summer of 2012 to celebrate my surviving a heart attack that I had in April of that year, to the Winthrop area.

We went hiking up in the hills, and on the return got this little four-foot-tall tree, found among a dug-up area!

We planted it outside my place and it seems to like it here.

Now four feet tall and growing, it needs a new home, as in a few years it will be 40 feet tall, then 100 feet tall.

It needs a more open space, where peregrine falcons, crows, chickadees, bald eagles and other birds can nest and enjoy the views.

Also, one of my favorite sounds is the wind blowing through Ponderosa pine trees, laying on the ground, underneath, closing one’s eyes and just enjoying the hum of the wind blowing past the long pine needles.

I would like to keep the tree close to the building, as I’m very close to my little brother and miss him very much, and the tree reminds me of him every time I see it.

I’m sure he also would appreciate seeing the tree planted across the street, near the water’s edge.

Horseshoe Coins & Antiques’ first day was back on April 15, 1994, and 25 years is coming up – hard to believe.

I will be having a sale, so please come in and take advantage of the many great collectibles and historical items for good prices.

If the city accepts the gift, please have a city employee contact me at 360/332-1870 and maybe we can pick a place in the parklet that we both agree on. I would offer to pay for any transplanting and landscaping costs involved.

Bill Becht Blaine The Editor: All of us in the Blaine school district are thankful for the schools, teachers and administrators in our district schools. We recognize the needs for maintenance and operations within these schools, and want to do what we can to be supportive. However, on the heels of another levy passed in recent months which will also obligate many property owners to pay additional taxes over the next few years related to the functioning of our schools, we are now being asked to approve yet another levy, Prop. 2020-11, which will replace an expiring one. Several hundred dollars in addition to other taxes on property owners will be enacted.

For the many in the district who rent, the vote could be an easy “yes” because the burden falls on others. But for the property owners in the district, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet, and many of whom like ourselves are seniors on fixed and limited incomes, this

just adds to an already stressful tax burden for many. We appreciate the work of our school staffs and the district school board.

The easy and quick solution to financial needs is to add another levy to property owners in a pattern that seems to become perpetual, for there will always be needs to replace those which are current.

While expressing appreciation for our educators and school board, I would urge the board to spend more time now and in the future wrestling with more creative and fair solutions to financial shortfalls than simply adding another tax on property owners. I would ask them to continue to ask hard questions such as, are there better ways we can eliminate waste and unneeded expenditures? Are there low-priority expenditures that we can allocate to spend only if truly needed? Are there ways we can creatively work with others and involve others in raising shortfalls (e.g. fundraisers, auctions, etc.)? The sum total of the proposed levy appears to be a little over $26,000. Surely other means can be found.

I urge voters to vote no in fairness to property owners and in asking the board to work creatively toward other solutions in the days and years to come.

Larry Eide Birch Bay (Ed. Note: The BSD replacement maintenance and operations levy will tax property owners less than the levy it replaces: $1.26 per $1,000 in assessed value in 2021 versus $1.39 in 2020. Also, the sum total of the levy, over four years, is $26.45 million, not $26,000.)

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Whatcom County unemployment rate rises slightly, but economists aren’t too concerned

By Grace McCarthy The unemployment rate in Whatcom County has slowly increased over the past year, but it’s not raising much concern among economists.

The Whatcom County unemployment rate reached 5% in November, a 0.4% increase compared to November 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This comes as both Washington state and the U.S. saw their unemployment rates decrease – by 0.4% for the state and by 0.2% for the nation. November 2019 was the most recent BLS data available at press time.

Although Whatcom County has had a higher unemployment rate than Washington state since December 2018, the county has one of the lower unemployment rates in the state, said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, a regional labor economist with the Washington State Employment Security Department (WSESD). The state data for unemployment is

skewed by the Seattle metropolitan counties, King and Snohomish, which have the state’s lowest unemployment rates.

“Our unemployment rate is higher than it is in Seattle, but that is not surprising in this business cycle,” said Hart Hodges, director at the Center for Economics and Business Research at Western Washington University.

Economic expansion following the 2008 recession has been the longest on record but the growth hasn’t been evenly distributed, Hodges said. Areas that are less urban and more rural have seen slower economic growth since the recession. According to Vance-Sherman, Whatcom County began seeing steady employment growth in 2012 and 2013, but within the past year that growth has slowed.

A healthy unemployment rate for Whatcom County is about 6% or below, Hodges said. However, the rate depends on what is happening to the economy in other places. Two to 3% above the nat-

ural unemployment rate of 3%, which takes into account transitions between jobs and changes in the economy, is considered healthy, Hodges said.

As of November, Whatcom County had gained 3,492 employees since November 2018, with a 3.6% increase in the labor force to 118,627 workers, according to WSESD. “Industries that have done well in our area include manufacturing, including food manufacturing, and health care,” Hodges said.

“Construction recovered after the recession, but never got back to the same share of total employment as we saw in 2005-06.”

Wage growth in Whatcom County has been modest for a long time, particularly in the lower half of the wage spectrum, Hodges said. The average weekly wage in Whatcom County was $946, according to the second quarter 2019 preliminary report from WSESD. Manufacturing and construction have had strong wage growth,

Hodges said, but wage growth in information and professional and business services has not kept pace with the same sectors in Seattle.

The recent statewide minimum-wage increase from $12 to $13.50 won’t have a large effect on Whatcom County, where most wages are already above the minimum, Vance-Sherman said.

Rural counties with lower-wage industries like agriculture will be most affected by the new wage increase.

Acknowledging the effect of Western Washington University on Bellingham’s economy is important, as a larger job pool including college students affects the Whatcom County average, Vance-Sherman said.

“I think economic activity in our area is following the pattern of the broader economy,” Hodges said. “The labor market is strong and consumers are spending, so we have a positive starting point when thinking about the economy in the year ahead.”

CITY OF BLAINE Unless noted, all meetings are held at City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000 and are open to the public. Agendas can be found on the City’s website.

Monday, February 10 4:00pm – Study Session – 2019 Work Plan Status Report

6:00pm – Regular City Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 11 8:00am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 13 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting

Thursday, February 13 2:00pm – Public Works Advisory Committee Location: PW 1200 Yew Ave

Thursday, February 13 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting U.S. PASSPORTS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.

City of Blaine’s public works department establishes fleet replacement program for aging vehicles and equipment Separately, Whitewolf praised her team, including assistant public works director Sam Castro, for their response to the recent snowfall. “Our response this year was so proactive,” she said. “We stepped

it up way more than we’ve been able to do in past years because of timing and planning and really good communication. It was very, very proactive and I’m extremely proud of my team.”

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s The above worn out grader dates back to 1979 and will be surplused by the city of Blaine’s public works department, pursuant to a new fleet replacement program.

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The city of Blaine’s public works department is establishing a fleet replacement program to help guide the maintenance and replacement of its aging vehicles and equipment.

As part of the 2020 budget process, the public works department created a fleet report, a living document that will be enhanced and updated annually or as needed. The report contains background about the department, a list of the vehicles in its fleet and a set of recommendations about what to do with certain vehicles that are leaking, rusted or worn out.

“What the report detailed was some background about the department, the age range of our equipment and what we will do with each of those pieces of equipment,” said Blaine public works director Ravyn Whitewolf.

Whitewolf said that her department has done its best to save money and get the most out of its existing fleet. “We’ve tried to buy used and extend the life of these pieces of equipment and vehicles far beyond what is typical,” she said. “What we see happening over the last few years is a change in how that’s managed. We’re trying to buy new when we can, and we’re coming up with alternative ways of funding what’s needed.

We’re looking at leasing, cooperatives and working with other agencies to come up with the best value for the public dollar.”

According to the document, the department has about 40 vehicles in its fleet including pickup trucks, vans, sweepers, tractors, bucket trucks, dump trucks, graders and excavators. Some of the vehicles date back as far as 1979, such as one grader that has a leaking hydraulic system, rotted tires

and an engine that is leaking oil.

“Public works vehicles are more than a simple means of transportation for our staff,” reads the fleet report. “They are used extensively for emergency response, outages, snow and ice removal and day-to-day operations. Moreover, these vehicles are ‘mobile offices’ in which our staff spend a significant percentage of their working hours.”

Employee safety is a top concern. “Some of the vehicles and equipment are outdated, lack upgraded technology and require constant and expensive repairs,” said the document. “Some do not meet the criteria to effectively and safely conduct the activities of the department.”

The department plans to implement green alternatives whenever possible. This includes the use of “flexible fuel” pickup trucks and vehicles that run on biodiesel or natural gas.

J

By Jami Makan

www.cityofblaine.com

Don’t wait! Call 360 332-9534 for your appointment today!

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The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

Sports

By Oliver Lazenby

Girls wrestlers have big week at home scramble, Puyallup tournament At the Viking Girls Invitational wrestling tournament on January 24, Genesis Vazquez and Rayanne Mutchler placed for the first time at a major tournament, leading the Blaine girls wrestling team to one of its best ever tournament finishes.

Vazquez tied for third, Mutchler tied for fifth and the Borderites placed 19th out of 32 teams at the tournament held in Puyallup.

While 19th place might not sound that great, head coach Damon Higgins said that Blaine brought five wrestlers and went up against many teams with wrestlers in nearly all of the 14 weight classes – a huge advantage for earning team points.

“What I’m looking at is, I had five wrestlers and they’re all pretty new to the sport, so this is an accomplishment,” he said. “For Genesis and Rayanne

to get a place at a major tournament is an absolute bolster to everything they’re doing on the mat. My pride for the weekend is really great.”

Both Vazquez and Mutchler lost early matches and battled their way through the consolation bracket to place in the tournament. Vazquez lost her first match and pinned three opponents in a row to earn third place at 110 pounds, and

Mutchler won three out of five matches at 170 pounds.

Scramble Championship Two days before the Viking Invitational, Blaine hosted the Scramble Championship on January 22, with wrestlers from eight of the smaller regional wrestling schools. It was the largest all-girls wrestling event ever held at Blaine High School.

All Blaine girls won at least one of their three matches.

Taylee McCormick, Blaine’s lone senior on senior night, won her first match by pin in about 10 seconds and finished the night with a second win.

The Scramble Championship isn’t officially scored.

On Saturday, February 1, the Blaine girls travel to their final tournament before the postseason, the Berserker Invitational at Curtis Senior High School in University Place, west of Tacoma.

Gavino Rodriguez gets big win, Blaine looking to tournament season With a few wrestlers missing, Gavino Rodriguez led Blaine wrestling to a sixth place finish out of 17 teams at the 32nd Annual Lynden Tournament on January 25.

Rodriguez, wrestling up a weight class at 195, pinned two opponents and then beat Nooksack Valley’s Cameron Bauman

12–2 in the finals match.

“Gavino is looking really good and just wrestled a really dominant match,” said Blaine head coach Tom Hinz. “He’s just getting better and getting better. He wants to be a state champ and I think it’s a really great potential.”

Rodriguez will wrestle in the

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182-pound weight class in the postseason, which starts with sub-regionals on February 7 at Sedro-Woolley High School. He and many other Blaine athletes wrestled up a class to get more practice against stronger wrestlers in preparation for the postseason, Hinz said.

Blaine’s other top placers at the Lynden Tournament include: Adam Macauley, second at 126 pounds; Cael Button, fourth at 113 pounds; Colton Pederson, fourth at 182 pounds; Owen

Hansen, fourth at 220 pounds; and Nahum Vazquez, sixth at 132 pounds.

Earlier in the week, the Borderites hosted Mount Baker in an exciting dual that Mount Baker won 40–39 after a tiebreaker.

There are no ties in wrestling, so when Colton Pedersen pinned his opponent in the final match to tie the score, scorekeepers looked to the tiebreaker criteria.

They went down a list of criteria, finding that both teams were tied in penalties, both teams had

won the same number of matches, both had the same number of technical falls, on down the list to the ninth tie breaker criteria: Mount Baker had the most points through near-falls, or near-pins – when an opponent is almost pinned but not held down long enough.

“It was super close,” Hinz said.

“That was a really fun one for us.”

Next, the Borderites travel to the Berserker Tournament, at Curtis Senior High School, west of Tacoma on Saturday, February 1.

In other sports...

Borderites’ record is 9–7 overall and 3–6 in conference games.

Next Blaine travels to Bellingham (3–13) for a 7:15 p.m. tip-off on Friday, January 31.

The Borderites play at home next at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5 against Nooksack Valley (9–7).

Girls Basketball Blaine lost 52–20 at Mount Baker on January 24 and lost 59– 26 at Anacortes on January 28.

Blaine’s record is now 5–11 overall and 2–7 in conference games.

Next, Blaine hosts Bellingham (8–8) at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 30.

Boys Basketball Blaine suffered a close loss to Mount Baker on January 23 at home, with a final score of 61– 56, and lost to Anacortes 69–57 on January 28, also at home. The

Water usage rose due to frigid weather, broken pipes

Member of the Month Peace Arch Montessori 549 Cherry Street, Blaine, WA 98230 360-684-2926 www.PeaceArchMontessori.com Number of employees: Fawn Ventura, founder and principal, certified Montessori teacher plus three certified Montessori assistants.

How long in business: Five and a half years.

Description of the business: Montessori preschool serving children and parents in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Lynden areas.

How the business started: Started as an in-home preschool in August, 2014 with the help of Bonnie Ventura and Fawn’s husband Tim Ventura, with only two students in my preschool classroom (one was Fawn’s daughter). In March 2019, the preschool moved to a new building with the help of Jeffrey and Summer Tan. This year, we are serving 39 children.

We focus on each child’s individual interest and offer fun and enriching Montessori learning experiences.

Future goals: We would like the school to be the Montessori and mindfulness educational center for children and families. This year Fawn became certified in mindfulness and adult and children’s yoga, and is working to add those as extracurricular program activities over the course of this year.

Featured businesses are selected randomly from the Blaine Community Chamber of Commerce membership.

This is a monthly feature sponsored by the Blaine Community Chamber of Commerce www.blainechamber.com • (360) 332-4544 • Join the chamber today ... membership has its privileges!

By Jami Makan Water usage in Birch Bay rose significantly as pipes that froze during the recent spell of frigid weather thawed and cracked in subsequent days.

Temperatures in Birch Bay reached a low of 12.7 degrees Fahrenheit on January 15, according to the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD).

Around that time, many residential water pipes froze, said BBWSD operations manager Mike Sowers. In the subsequent days, the ice in the pipes thawed, causing the pipes to crack or break and spill water.

This caused water usage in Birch Bay to almost double.

According to BBWSD data, the district had net water usage of about 600,000 to 700,000 gallons per day in the first half of the month. But in the days following January 15 when the temperature warmed back up, water usage shot up significantly, hitting a high of over 1.2 million gallons on January 19.

“People need to winterize their homes and pipes, before winter,

and particularly before a deep freeze,” said Sowers. “A little prevention can go a long way to save a lot of time, money and grief.”

The low temperature of 12.7 degrees on January 15 wasn’t quite as low as the record low on January 18, 2012, when the temperature dropped to 11.6 degrees, the lowest January temperature recorded from 2012 to 2020. “As for temperatures, it wasn’t the coldest January in recent history, but it did dip down quite a bit before becoming almost balmy again,” said Sowers.

January was a wetter-than-normal month, said Sowers, with over 1.5 inches of precipitation above average. The average monthly precipitation in January since 2010 has been 4.56 inches, but as of January 26, there had already been 6.07 inches so far this month. “If we get the rain that is forecast for this week, we could have a new 10-year record January rainfall total,” said Sowers. The previous record for the month of January came in January 2011, when 7.47 inches were recorded, according to BBWSD’s data, which dates back to 2010.

January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

7

Blaine mapped out in new canvas mural at Hill’s Chevron

By Grace McCarthy The once blank exterior of the Chevron gas station on Peace Portal Drive now helps put Blaine on the map as a destination thanks to an artistic collaboration between gas station owner Mike Hill and painter Dan DeLong.

The canvas, centered on Hill’s gas station and depicting a cartoon-like aerial view of Blaine, was completed in December after a four-month process. Blaine landmarks like the Peace Arch and Semiahmoo Spit are dotted on the map with newer features like the Blaine High School stadium. Closer inspection also yields special hidden items, from mermaids to Pokémons.

“It’s not your typical map that you might see,” DeLong said. “It has a lot of personal character as far as the town and the people who were involved in the project.”

The completion of the canvas represents a longstanding friendship between Hill and DeLong, who worked at Hill’s gas station through high school and college in the ’90s. Five paintings that DeLong created during that time hung in the gas station for decades, eventually inspiring the new canvas.

Hill said there was no better artist for the canvas than DeLong, who understood both Blaine and Hill’s artistic vision.

“The big thing for me is that everybody who has been involved

in this has been involved in my life, especially with Danny doing this,” Hill said. “He knows what it means around here for the locals.”

The map is also important to give visitors a visualization of where they are and what the town offers, Hill said.

“You wouldn’t believe how many people cross the border and ask us if they’re in the U.S.,” Hill said. “They’ll also ask us how far the White House is.”

The mural starts with an aerial view of the border before highlighting Blaine and extending to a distant Seattle. Although not every business or house fit, DeLong was able to add the downtown core with images of Semiahmoo Bay and the San Juan Islands. The brightly

painted canvas is intended to create a happy, idyllic scene, DeLong said.

“Mike and I had this vision about Blaine being a destination,” DeLong said. “This is a place you’d want to come based on some of the imagery you’re seeing.”

The artistic license DeLong was granted allowed him to add personal touches to the map, like surprising his 11-year-old daughter with two humpback whales from her favorite Star Trek movie.

It took DeLong 46 hours and multiple sketches of warped perspectives to create the mixed animated and surreal-style scene. He said he didn’t work on the mural more than an hour at a time,

regulating his pace with bursts of energy. Schematic challenges were the biggest obstacle DeLong faced during the process, with decisions like the size and placement of buildings.

“My favorite memory was that I was blessed enough to be able to put the mural up,” Hill said.

The canvas comes as an addition to Hill’s newly renovated gas station, which extended from 500 square feet to 3,000 square feet in September last year.

“I hope people will enjoy and have fun with the mural,” DeLong said. “It’s dedicated to Blaine and I’ve been in Blaine my whole life.”

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CALL The Northern Light 360-332-1777 s The mural being installed on the side of the Chevron gas station at 568 Peace Portal Drive.

Photo courtesy of Mike Hill

AT H LET E H

OF THE

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Gavino Rodriquez Senior • Wrestling

Gavino is the captain of our wrestling team. He finished his first semester at Whatcom Community College with a 4.00 GPA and is looking forward to his future classes. On the mat, Gavino is ranked 3rd at the 182 pound 2A rankings. In the last month, he placed 6th at the Gut Check tournament, which is the hardest tournament in the state, and won the Bainbridge tournament at 195 pounds and was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. He is undefeated in league dual and working hard to do his best at the state tournament.

s Mike Hill in front of the mural he has long envisioned.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

8

Home

The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

&

Garden

A monthly special section in The Northern Light

DIY projects that can conserve energy around the house Home renovation projects can pay numerous dividends.

Renovations can have a positive effect on resale value, make homes more livable for residents and, in some ways, make homes more affordable.

Renovation projects that aim to conserve energy can save homeowners substantial amounts of money. Such projects don’t often require considerable effort or even sizable financial investments, which can make homeowners skeptical as to just how much they can save after completing the project. But the scale of a project may have little to do with how much homeowners will save. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notes that a relatively

effortless task like turning back a thermostat between 7 degrees and 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours per day can save homeowners as much as $83 per year. A more labor-intensive task like planting shade trees saves homeowners an average of between $35 and $119 per year.

When looking for ways to conserve energy around the house and save money, homeowners need not necessarily commit to expensive projects. The DOE notes that the following are some energy-saving projects and details that homeowners can expect to save after completing them.

While each individual project may not result in jaw-dropping savings, homeowners who follow many of these recommendations

JAN. 11 - APRIL. 6, 2020

may end up saving more than $1,000 per year.

Project: Install exterior low-e storm windows Low-e windows reflect infrared heat back into a home.

Such windows are coated with an ultra-thin layer of metal that improves the window’s insulation ability.

Homeowners who install low-e windows can save between 12 and 33 percent on their annual heating and cooling costs.

Project: Seal uncontrolled air leaks Air leaks let cool air in during winter and warm air in during summer. Caulking, sealing and weather stripping all cracks and large openings can cut back on air leaks that are costing you money.

The DOE recommends hiring a contractor to seal any leaks on heating and cooling ducts.

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Homeowners who seal uncontrolled air leaks can save between 10 and 20 percent on their annual heating and cooling bills.

Project: Plant shade trees If you plant a deciduous tree between six and eight feel tall near your home, it will begin to shade your windows within a year of being planted. Depending on the species of the tree and the home, the shade tree will begin shading the roof within five to 10 years. The DOE notes that shading is the most cost-effective way to reduce air conditioning costs.

Properly planted shade trees can reduce air conditioning costs by anywhere from 15 to 50 percent.

Project: Insulate the water heater tank New water tanks are likely already insulated. But homeowners with older hot water tanks can insulate their tanks with a water heater insulating blanket kit.

Insulating a water heater tank can save homeowners as much as 16 percent on their annual water heating bills.

Even the smallest DIY projects can produce big savings. More information about energy-saving home improvement projects can be found online at energy.gov.

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January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

9

New sourdough business, Anna’s @BreadinBlaine, comes to town

By Grace McCarthy Years of culinary experience and one grandfather’s recipe have prepared Mark and Anna Johnson to launch their sourdough business in Blaine.

Anna’s @BreadinBlaine is an Instagram bakery that officially launched on November 1, after the couple’s European-style bread grew in demand from friends and family. The at-home bakery offers one original sourdough and 10 flavors that range from lemon poppy seed to toasted sesame for $5 per loaf.

“For me, it’s all about the texture of the inside of the bread that’s elastic and chewy,” Mark said. “You won’t find that at a grocery store.”

Mark uses his grandfather’s sourdough recipe that takes three days to make and requires no kneading. He uses his grandfather’s 25-year-old yeast that he worked every day for three months to revive. The natural yeast makes the bread easier to digest, especially for people with gluten intolerance, because the sourdough eats at the gluten while it’s fermenting.

“The process is what gives the bread its unique and distinctive flavor,” Mark said.

The bread business, which Mark and Anna hope to expand into a downtown Blaine storefront by the end of the year, came into fruition unexpectedly after the couple and their two children, 5 and 7, moved to Blaine from Southern California.

Anna grew up in Blaine, even starting her career in the restaurant industry with her first job catering at the Semiahmoo Resort, before moving to California for college. This is where she met Mark in the late ’90s, who went on to attend the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco and train under Michelin-rated chef Gary Danko.

Mark then started his career as an executive chef for Léal Vineyards, a catering company with seven properties across Southern California. During this time, he worked 16 to 18 hours a day, six days per week with two young children at home.

It was when Léal Vineyards decided to move forward on a new $25 million project that the chef, who was once asked to be on the TV shows Chopped and Top Chef but declined because the timing wasn’t right, decided to separate from the company and prioritize family. It paid off, and this past Easter was the first Mark was able to spend with his kids.

“With us moving up here, we didn’t know what we were going to do,” Anna said. “Within three months we decided to quit the job, move up here and then we’d decide

what we’re going to do after that.”

The couple knew they eventually wanted to open a restaurant in Blaine, but sourdough bread was one of the last things they expected. Requests soon came in, though, and now the couple sells out at about 20 loaves per day – usually pre-sold before the day of delivery.

“We’re in the infancy of this step of our business,” Anna said.

“It’s building a clientele and introducing Mark to the community, but it’s also the starting point of hopefully many food businesses in town as the kids get older.”

The goal is for a brick-andmortar store to be established by the end of the year, where the couple can expand on their creative flavors and more easily navigate constraints that arise from working out of their home kitchen. Without the restrictions of making deliveries and their current food permit, which only allows for 11 flavors of bread, Anna’s @BreadinBlaine will be able to sell a greater variety and amount of bread.

Eventually, Mark and Anna would like the bakery to serve healthy grab-and-go food like soups and salads for people who don’t have time to prepare dinner. They will continue to sell their $5 classic sourdough but will expand their offerings of flavored breads.

Anna said she’ll miss the days baking at home with the kids when they move to a downtown location, but it’s the right step forward.

“One of the things that always sticks in my head is when people grab a loaf and it’s warm and they hug it and smell it,” Mark said.

“It’s a satisfying feeling knowing how much people enjoy a loaf of bread, how simple it is.”

Anna posts the weekly menu on Instagram @BreadinBlaine.

For orders, text Anna at 360/2962538. On request, Anna will text her weekly menu to people without Instagram. Text is the preferred communication. For people who don’t want delivery, Anna offers a scheduled 30-minute pick up window.

In the coming weeks and months, The Northern Light hopes to tell more stories about local businesses that make their products in the Blaine and Birch Bay area. If you know of any interesting companies that create their products locally, please email editor@thenorthernlight.com with as much information as possible, and we will do our best to follow up with the companies directly.

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s Anna and Mark Johnson in their kitchen, where they bake 20 loaves of sourdough bread daily.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

s Freshly baked loaves of the original sourdough bread sold by Anna’s @BreadinBlaine.

Photo courtesy of Anna Johnson

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10

The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

Southbound crossings into Blaine down, but by less than two percent In December, 675,550 total passengers and pedestrians crossed southbound into Blaine at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings, according to data from Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute. That’s a 1.9 percent drop from the same month the previous year, when 688,427 crossed the border into Blaine.

Throughout most of 2019, the number of southbound border crossings was slightly down from both 2017 and 2018. Annually, southbound border crossings into Blaine were down 4.7 percent in 2019 when compared to 2018.

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Local historical society envisioned for Blaine The Birch Bay Historical Society will be meeting at the Blaine Library on Monday, February 3 starting at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is being organized by Jim Zell from Blaine and Patrick Alesse from Birch Bay. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place on January 16 but was postponed due to snow and ice.

The meeting will include a rundown of the group’s last meeting as well as an overview of the Birch Bay Historical Society as an incorporated group and 501(c) (3) organization. There will be presentations on a reed organ with local history, and Blaine’s wooden nickel. The meeting will also include discussions about the formation of a similar historical society in Blaine, and the group’s collection of old copies of the Blaine Banner newspaper.

The meeting will end with a demonstration on the use of smartphones to record people’s historical stories. All people are encouraged to attend the meeting and to bring their stories, photos and ideas.

“This is near and dear to our hearts,” said Debby Farmer, branch manager of the Blaine Library. “I’m very excited about this. I think it just takes someone to get the ball rolling and get all of these folks interested in doing this together.”

The Birch Bay Historical Society was founded last fall by Bea Ball, with assistance from Arne Cleveland and others.

For more information and a list of current members and their contact information, please visit bit.ly/37wbu5U.

January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

11

Smuggler’s Inn owner’s trial postponed until at least the fall

By Jami Makan The trial of Bob Boule, the owner of the Smuggler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast in Blaine who is alleged to have helped people enter Canada illegally, has been postponed.

Boule’s trial in B.C. had previously been scheduled to start on January 13, but has now been pushed back until at least the fall, said Erica Olmstead, a partner with Edelmann and Company, a Vancouver law firm that has represented Boule in some pre-trial proceedings.

Boule was arrested by Canadian authorities last April for allegedly helping people cross into Canada illegally. Crown prosecutors have alleged that he helped various individuals cross into Canada from the Smuggler’s Inn property, which abuts the U.S./Canada border and “0” Avenue in Surrey, B.C. Specifically, prosecutors have alleged that Boule committed a number of violations of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which states that “no

person shall organize, induce, aid or abet the coming into Canada of one or more persons knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, their coming into Canada is or would be in contravention of this Act.” A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) told The Northern Light last year that the maximum penalty for each such offense is a $500,000 fine or 10 years’ imprisonment. “The penalty for this same offense, if done for profit, is a minimum of three years’ imprisonment,” said the spokesperson.

After he was granted bail on April 25 last year, some charges were dropped against Boule.

During a B.C. court appearance on June 11, prosecutors revealed their decision to “stay” nine of the 30 charges against Boule. When charges are stayed, it “means that the prosecution has determined not to pursue those charges at this point in time,” a PPSC spokesperson said at the time.

Subsequently, Boule’s applica-

s Bob Boule, owner of the Smuggler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast. tion to have his defense funded by the Canadian government was granted during a July 5 court appearance. According to a media

report, Boule made a successful “Rowbotham” application. The application, named after a 1988 case in Ontario, can be made by

Photo by Ruth Lauman

people who are facing “serious and complex” criminal charges and have been denied legal aid but can’t afford a lawyer.

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12

The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

Real Estate

Bay Properties

8045 BIRCH BAY DRIVE, BLAINE, WA 360-371-7252 BAYPROPERTIESNW.COM

Semiahmoo homeS, inc.

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4730 Tidal Way, 102-L, Birch Bay $325,000

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VACANT LAND! One of few remaining Loomis Trail golf

course view lots ready to build. Enjoy a panoramic view of the golf course, clubhouse and Mt. Baker. Offering 209 feet access off sidewalked boulevard and 113 feet of golf course frontage.

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CeCelia Breivik • (360) 303-8161

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from the beach, this home exudes Birch Bay charm! Having three bedrooms offers plenty of sleeping accommodations, potential rental income or simply room to relax. 9,000+ sq ft on the grassy lot offers flexibility to add storage and RV parking, or build on extra living space. Coffered ceilings, an open floor plan, and a huge front deck await your turnkey enjoyment in one of Washington state’s quaint, shore side hidden gem communities.

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the rough! Some TLC and you can turn this into your dream home. Possible investment or just the perfect getaway. Enjoy the incredible waterfront views across the strait to Pt. Roberts, White Rock and the San Juan Islands from the 932 SF deck.

2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, kitchen and living area on the main floor. Master suite on 2nd fl. Unfinished basement with lots of potential 500 SF. No better value for peace and tranquility.

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Very unique opportunity to own the largest property in BBV with direct SW views to San Juan Islands, Birch Bay and Mt. Baker. Situated on .65 acre with unlimited possibilities for expansion of current home or building your dream estate. Main floor entry has great open floor plan for stunning views at any angle. Master + 2 more guest rooms on main w/upper level guest suite, bonus room & patio for sunsets.

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ONT

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5100 SF Warehousing/

8090 Comox Rd. • Birch Bay $339,500

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MLS# 1549498 • 3-BD, 1.5-BA, 1,531 Sq. Ft. A rare find!

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see photos at

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Last opportunity at Semiahmoo’s Clubhouse Point. Private, only 14 homes.

8627 Semiahmoo Drive $724,500 MLS # 1492044 2630 sq. ft. waterfront home rebuilt in 2008.

Single level with 3-BD, office & 2.5-BA. Brazilian cherry flrs, vaulted ceilings, granite, stainless, central vac, breathtaking views, 864 sq. ft deck & additional patio areas. Plenty of lawn off the deck towards Bay. Mature landscaping on this 33,541 sq.ft waterfront home site.

Location, Location!

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House prices are high, inventory is low...

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Call Gerry at 360-920-0563 for your free home evaluation.

GERRY ALLEN GerryAllen@windermere.com

We get the word out!

FOLLOW US ON facebook.com/thenorthernlight

Manufacturing/Retail SPACE AVAILABLE Also Available Now: Up to 18,000 SF of Fenced & Paved Storage Yard

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TheNorthernLight.com

your online hometown newspaper!

FOR LEASE Retail/Office Space With Waterfront Views of Blaine Marina

Rentals - Residential

Birch Bay Homes FOR RENT 1, 2, & 3 BR, Fully Furnished

No credit checks, Small Deposit Children welcome, Pets negotiable Starting at $1300/mo (month to month)

360-325-2336 BLAINE 2-BD Triplex. $875/mo.

360-332-4503.

All real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.

800 - 1600 s.f.

Prime ground floor office and retail space in The Northern Light Cannery-style building at Blaine Harbor. Fiber optic internet access.

For leasing information, contact Pat Grubb 360/332-1777

Want to find a new home?

You’ve come to the right place!

Classifieds are online at thenorthernlight.com/classifieds

January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

13

Semiahmoo Resort hosting bartending competition on February 4

By Jami Makan Semiahmoo Resort will be hosting a bartending competition on Tuesday, February 4 as part of Bellingham Cocktail Week.

The Cut/Off Bartending Competition, modeled after the television show “Chopped” on the Food Network, will take place in the resort’s Packers Kitchen and Bar from 4 to 7 p.m. It will feature three preliminary rounds, with each contestant crafting a cocktail out of a basket of mystery ingredients in 10 minutes or less.

Cocktails will be judged by a panel of bar industry experts as well as a popular vote from the audience. Winners of each of the three preliminary rounds will compete in the final Cut/Off championship where a winner will be crowned. The winner will receive a

cash prize in addition to a donation to the charity of their choice.

Local bartenders are encouraged to enter the competition. The fee to compete is $25 and general admission for audience members costs $20. Audience members will be able to enjoy tastes of the cocktails and tokens to vote for their favorites, as well as a front row seat to witness all of the action. Information and tickets are available online at semiahmoo.com.

For Bellingham Cocktail Week, the resort will also be offering a featured cocktail, Orion’s Nightcap, for $12 from Saturday, February 1 through Sunday, February 9.

The drink’s ingredients are: Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Chambord, Amaro, Orange Twist, Woodford Bourbon Cherry.

Also in February, the resort is continuing its Semiahmoo Sips series, in which people can take part in fun and interactive cocktail classes every Thursday at Packers from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a cost of $20 per person. Each week will feature a different type of liquor, with an expert guiding you through its history, background and the best way to incorporate it into cocktails.

Each class will end with the creation of two cocktails to enjoy. The classes in February are on February 6 (Tequila featuring Coa Tequila), February 13 (Whiskey featuring Woodford Reserve), February 20 (Liqueurs featuring Salish Sea Organic Liqueurs) and February 27 (Brandy featuring Remy). Information and tickets are available online at semiahmoo.com.

Arts & Jazz fundraiser to feature musical performances and auction

By Jami Makan Now in its 23rd year, the annual Arts & Jazz fundraiser will feature musical performances and an auction on Saturday, February 1 in the Blaine Middle School cafeteria. Funds raised at the event will be used to offer arts scholarships and to assist the theater, band, choir and visual art programs at Blaine High School (BHS).

Members of the Blaine community are encouraged to attend this year’s event, which will start at 7 p.m. with admission costing $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

This year’s auction items will include reserved front row tickets to the 2020 BHS graduation ceremony and a certificate for driver’s license courses with

CBP ...

From page 1

be operating 24x7 working with TTRT (tactical terrorism response team) and frontline officers to conduct vetting on all individuals that meet the following criteria: All persons (males and females) born after 1961 and born before 2001 with links (place of birth, travel, citizenship) or any nexus to the following countries …”

The directive then lists Iranian and Lebanese nationals and Palestinians as well as persons of any other nationality who had traveled to Iran or Lebanon.

The bulletin instructs officers to conduct secondary inspections and use the “CTR” form (a counterterrorism checklist) before contacting the TTRT or TAU. Under a section labeled “High Side Vetting Criteria,” officers were instructed to look for connections to the military, extremist ideology, criminality or deceptive behaviors.

The bulletin is consistent with published interviews of some detained travelers who reported being asked about whether they or other relatives had ever served in

s In February, Semiahmoo Resort will be hosting a bartending competition and cocktail-making classes.

Courtesy photo

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

Nelson Driving School complete with an emergency road kit, as well as gift certificates for getaways, food, recreation and goods and services from various individuals and businesses.

Other auction items will include a golfing package from Silver Reef Casino, quilts and paintings by Whatcom County artists and donations from a number of cottage industries in Blaine, said Dorita Gray, who is one of the event organizers. “We’ve had so many people who have donated for years, and that’s just a wonderful feeling and I’m very grateful for that,” she said.

Prior to the auction, there will be a special performance by The Jansen Jazz Band under the direction of Steve Herrick, as well as members of Blaine Jazz Band Alumni. The

BHS choir and jazz band will also perform, and some BHS theater arts students are expected to volunteer as announcers and greeters.

During the event, the annual Friend of the Arts Award will be presented to Sabrina Gomez-Vannelli. Gomez-Vannelli is lead vocalist for the Bilongo Quintet and is the owner, founder and artistic director of Blaine’s Day-to-Day Dance Studio. “We think what Sabrina’s added to our community is definitely artful and has made Blaine a more artful place to live,” said Gray.

Blaine senior Megan Tran’s piece “Please Be Patient” was selected for this year’s Arts & Jazz poster. The selection of Tran as this year’s artist of note was made at the 2019 Evening of the Arts event on May 30 last year.

the Iranian armed forces.

In an article published January 22, The Northern Light broke the story of a local CBP whistleblower who said Iranian-born travelers were detained at other border crossings in the Blaine sector as well. Travelers were selected for counterterrorism inspections based solely upon their national origin, the CBP officer said, add-

ing that there were no immigration or customs reasons to detain them. Once the detentions became national news, Blaine port director Kenneth Williams put out a directive on January 5 at 1 p.m. saying the operation was suspended, the CBP officer said.

A copy of the bulletin obtained

by The Northern Light is available online at thenorthernlight.com.

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s The CBP bulletin that instructed U.S. border agents to detain travelers who were born in Iran or met certain other criteria. The full document can be read online at thenorthernlight.com.

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14

The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

Coffee with the Contractor: Thursday, January 30, 8 a.m., Birch Bay Visitor Center, 7900 Birch Bay Drive. Ask questions and learn more about the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project with Granite Construction, and get to know the people working on the project. Info: birchbaychamber.com.

Coming up

ary 1, 7 p.m., Blaine Middle School Cafeteria. Celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of our students, and the tradition of passing on art to a new generation.

Presented by The Blaine Fine Arts Association.

Group Hypnotherapy: Sunday, February 2, 10:30–11:40 a.m., Day-to-Day Dance Studio, 1733 Census 2020 Jobs Recruiting: Thursday, January H Street, Suite 410. Stimulate and balance energy, 30, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Blaine Public Library, normalize body functions and promote healing with 610 3rd Street. Census recruiters will be available to Sue Dunstone CHT. $20 per person, $10 under 18. answer questions and take applications for employment. Info: 360/305-3637.

Birch Bay Historical Society Meeting: Monday, February 3, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Blaine Public Library, Live Music at the Vault: Friday, January 31, 7–9 610 3rd Street. Topics include Gorden Sullivan’s p.m., The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. reed organ, Blaine’s Wooden Nickel and how to help Featuring: Trio Sueno. Info: 360/392-0955.

Blaine start its own historical group. Blaine history enthusiasts invited to attend. Info: 360/371-2070.

Traveling with Teens and Tweens Really Can Be Learning-Centered, Meaningful and Fun: Saturday, February 1, 1–2 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Podcaster, homeschool mom and public school teacher Margot Worthy will equip you with simple, step-by-step strategies for your own meaningful adventures. Info: 360/305-3637.

Interlacements Documentary Showing: Saturday, February 1, 4–6 p.m., Jansen Art Center, 321 Front Street, Lynden. Admission by donation, jansenartcenter.org. Info: info@jansenartcenter. org or 360/354-3600. This movie was produced by Marilyn Romatka, a fiber artist and long-time friend of the Jansen Textile Studio, and her husband Rainer.

They will be present to introduce the film and answer questions after the screening.

Live Music at the Vault: Saturday, February 1, 7-9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street.

Featuring: Mary Ellen Lykins and Craig Adams. Info: 360/392-0955.

23rd Annual Arts & Jazz Auction: Saturday, Febru-

Answers at thenorthernlight.com (abbr.)

51. Divides 55. Kid 58. Inland Empire Expanded Learning Symposium 59. Engaged in conflict 60. Former CBS sportscaster 64. Characterized by unity 65. Working-class 66. Corners 67. __ de plume 68. Influential French artist 69. “Very” in musical terms 70. Financial accountDOWN 1. Long, flat abdominal muscles 2. Small Eurasian willow 3. Justified in terms of profitability 4. Required 5. River that starts in Turkey 6. Disfigure 7. A way of communicating (abbr.)

8. Leaks slowly 9. Shady place under trees 10. Made a speech 11. Long, angry speech 12. Mortar trough 13. Autonomic nervous system

Foreign Policy Forum: Friday, February 14, 1–2:30 p.m.. Blaine United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street.

This week’s topic: Climate Change and the Global Order. Info: 360/332-6906.

20th Annual Bite of Blaine: Monday, February 17, 6 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort Ballroom, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. No-host social at 6 p.m., tasting at 6:30 p.m.

Sample great food from local restaurants plus silent and live auctions. Tickets $30 available at Pacific Building Center, 2677 Bell Road, the Blaine Welcome Center, 546 Whatcom Dream Financial Literacy Class: Peace Portal Drive or online at blainechamber.com. Tickets Mondays, February 3–March 30, 7-8:30 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road, will not be sold at the door. Proceeds benefit the Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July. Info: blainechamber.com.

Birch Bay. Improve your financial management skills in this free eight-week class. For more information/to register: 360/296-0441 or kevin@thewhatcomdream. Friends of Birch Bay Library Book Club: Wednesorg. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program. day, February 19, 4–5:30 p.m., future home of the Birch Bay Library, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Join us each month Winter Gardening and Soil Basics: Wednesday, to discuss good books by the bay. Info: 360/305-3600.

February 5, 4–6 p.m., and repeats Saturday, February Semiahmoo Men’s Breakfast: Thursday, February 8, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd 20, 7:30 a.m. Great Blue Heron Grill. Coffee, big breakStreet. Learn answers to questions like what can be fast $17. All men are welcome. This week’s speaker is “wintered over,” what effect is winter having on your Blaine city manager Michael Jones. soil and how do you prepare for a healthy summer season? Planting tables will be available to help Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party: Tuesday, February guide your seed buying. Presented by Blaine C.O.R.E. 25, 5:30–8:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street.

Info: 360/305-3637.

Family dinner with a professional Dixieland band (Josh’s Mardi Gras Stompers). Also featuring the Blaine High Semiahmoo Men’s Breakfast: Thursday, February School jazz band. Pancakes, gumbo and good music.

6, 7:30 a.m., the Great Blue Heron Grill. Coffee, Celebrate 100 Years of Voting Rights: Thursday, big breakfast $17. All men are welcome. Speaker: February 27, 6:30 p.m., Western Washington University Blaine’s chief of police Donnell “Tank” Tanksley.

Crossword ACROSS 1. Small deer 4. Khoikhoi peoples 9. South African statesman 14. Keyboard key 15. Remove 16. A conspicuous constellation 17. Data executive 18. Retired NASCAR driver 20. Tightens 22. A picture of the Virgin Mary 23. “The Mission” actor Jeremy 24. Confidently 28. More (Spanish) 29. Sports highlight show (abbr.)

30. Hand out cards 31. Distinctive Asian antelope 33. Arabic greeting 37. Of I 38. Hip hop trio 39. Meat roll 41. One’s mother (Brit.)

42. __-GYN 43. Belgian city 44. Plucks 46. Leak slowly 49. Denotes a particular region 50. General’s assistant

Blaine Library Design Project Reveal: Tuesday, February 11, 5:30–7 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. After a series of public meetings and surveys, come see the final design concept from Johnson Architects and King Architecture. Experience the new library space via 3D renderings and fly-through simulation. There’s still time to give your feedback and share ideas! Info: 360/305-3637.

19. Southern India island 21. Grab quickly 24. Ancient Mesopotamian city 25. With three uneven sides 26. Football visionary Hunt 27. Primordial matters 31. Facing towards the flow of a glacier 32. “A Delicate Balance” writer 34. Emits coherent radiation 35. Commercial 36. Groups of foot bones 40. Out of print 41. Partner to cheese 45. German river 47. Concluding speech 48. Spanish dish 52. Prominent California cape Point __ 53. Any high mountain 54. Ethiopian lake 56. Mr. 57. Excessive fluid accumulation in tissues 59. Large, flightless bird 60. Oil industry term (abbr.)

61. Something one can draw 62. Officers in charge 63. Greek island

Performing Arts Center. Elaine Weiss discusses her book, The Women’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters, Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education and Village Books.

Free parking. Info: lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org.

Al-Anon Meetings: Mondays, noon, United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street. Info: Call M.J. 360/920-3679 or Bob 360/920-3676.

ArtScape Teens: Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m., Soul Space Studio, 264B H Street. A safe place for teens to set their imaginations free through art. Free studio time.

Sponsor: Healthy Youth Coalition. Info: 435/704-1598.

Toastmasters Meeting: Tuesdays, 6:30–7:45 p.m., 382 Boblett Street. Improve your public speaking skills.

Community Meals: Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Through May, except holidays. Info: blainecap.org.

WW Workshop: Thursdays, 5 p.m., Northwood Alliance Church, 508 C Street. Registration/sign-in from 5-5:30 p.m., and half-hour meeting to follow.

The Alaska Packers Museum: Saturdays and Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Info: 360/371-3558.

Teen Nite: Saturdays, 5–9 p.m., Border Town Pizza, 738 Peace Portal Drive. Kids ages 13–18 come enjoy open mic, karaoke and games. Free pizza at 5 p.m.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting: Sundays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street, entrance on 4th Street. Nwwana.org.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Weather

Police Reports January 18, 9:47 p.m.: Blaine police were dispatched to assist the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. An ambulance crew was reporting trouble with a patient’s family member at the scene of a call in Birch Bay. A male suspect had interfered with and threatened the crew as they were trying to treat the patient. Police contacted the suspect who denied any wrongdoing and provided officers with a written statement. The case will be forwarded to the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

January 19, 7:09 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers responded to a report of a vehicle backing down the northbound on-ramp at Interstate 5 and D Street. Officers were later advised that the vehicle was now at a local gas station. Officers contacted the driver and spoke with him about the dangers of backing down an on-ramp.

The driver apologized. He told officers that he was lost and that he wouldn’t do it again.

January 20, 8:19 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers responded to the Peace Arch port of entry for an individual identified as having a warrant issued for his arrest out of Montana. After determining that the issuing authority for the warrant would request extradition, the individual was taken into custody and booked into Whatcom County Jail for this process to begin.

January 20, 1:17 p.m.: Blaine police were called to a business in the 500 block of Peace Portal Drive where a man was reported to be acting disorderly. Officers contacted the man who was attempting to smoke a marijuana cigarette in public and detained him. The man provided officers with a false identity and was arrested. The man was given a criminal citation with a mandatory court appearance date and released from custody.

January 21, 8:08 a.m.: A Blaine officer working traffic enforcement in the 700 block range of H Street observed a vehicle with expired registration. The officer stopped the vehicle and determined the driver failed to transfer the vehicle title within 45 days and also had no proof of insurance. The officer arrested, cited and released the individual with a mandatory court date. The officer cleared with no further incident.

January 21, 10:40 a.m.: Blaine officers were dispatched to the 400 block range of Peace Portal Drive for a report of a trailer blocking the roadway. Officers arrived and determined the trailer had become detached from the vehicle towing it and struck another vehicle. While investigating, the trailer owner arrived on the scene and advised he noticed it was no longer behind him when he returned home. Officers documented the damage and provided the two parties with an exchange of information. Officers cleared with no further incident.

January 22, 1 p.m.: The Blaine police were called about a possible reckless driver. The caller was following the suspect’s vehicle. An officer located the suspect driver and spoke with him. The suspect accused the caller of reckless driving. Officers determined no crime had occurred. Both owners were given a warning to obey the rules of the road and officers cleared.

Precipitation: During the period of January 20–26, 2.1 inches of precipitation were recorded. The 2020 year-to-date precipitation is 6.1 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 55°F on January 23 with a low of 40°F on January 20. Average high was 51°F and average low was 43°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Tides DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT January 31–February 6 at Blaine.

Not for navigation.

49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W Fr 31

2:41 am

3.0

9:43 am

9.1

4:38 pm

3.7

10:06 pm

6.0

Sa 1

3:15 am

4.2

10:07 am

8.9

5:24 pm

3.0

11:46 pm

6.1

10:33 am

8.8

Su 2

3:57 am

5.3

6:14 pm

2.2

Mo 3

Tu 4

We 5

1:44 am

6.6

4:57 am

6.3

11:05 am

8.8

7:04 pm

1.4

3:08 am

7.5

6:27 am

7.1

11:43 am

8.7

7:52 pm

0.5

4:02 am

8.3

7:57 am

7.5

12:33 pm

8.7

8:38 pm

-0.4

Th 6

4:42 am

9.0

9:09 am

7.5

1:29 pm

8.8

9:24 pm

-1.2

January 22, 7:34 p.m.: A subject was traveling back to the United States from Canada when he realized his front license plate had been stolen. A Blaine officer called the subject and determined the license plate had been stolen in either Vancouver, B.C. or Bellevue. An officer advised the subject to contact the Bellevue Police Department and report the license plate stolen. The officer cleared the call without incident.

January 23, 8:45 a.m.: An early-morning walker reported a person hiding in the bushes in the 200 block of Marine Drive. The person reported the incident via social media after it occurred. An officer asked the caller to phone 911 if the incident occurred again. The rest of patrol was notified of the incident for extra patrols as available.

January 23, 9:01 p.m.: Blaine police officers were dispatched to a possible burglary at a local residence. Officers checked the home and found no signs of break-in. The homeowner was notified and officers cleared.

Reports provided by Blaine Police Department

s Blaine police chief Donnell “Tank” Tanksley will be speaking at the Semiahmoo Men’s Breakfast on Thursday, February 6.

File photo

January 30 - February 5, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Bay Builders From Cherry Point to the Peace Arch

Great Kids Doing Great Things Featuring students of the Blaine School District

Jackson Jackson Bray, Bray, 12th 12th grade grade Emma Mulryan, 12th grade Jackson Jackson works works hard hard in in everything everything he grade Jackson Bray, 12th 12th grade grade he Jackson Bray, 12th grade Emma is aJackson perceptive,Bray, sharp, 12th and empathetic

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All this speaks volumes of her grit and fortitude to strive to be the best she can possibly be, which we think makes Blaine High School a better school.

Seth Seth Blomeen, Blomeen, 8th 8th grade grade Seth Blomeen, Seth Blomeen, Seth Blomeen, Chloe Seth Sethgrade isisaGorgue, ahardworking hardworking 8th 8th 8th grade grade 8th 8thgrade grade student student who whoasks asksquestions questions

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Steven Steven Reimer, Reimer, Colton Ellis, 4th grade 5th 5th grade grade Steven Reimer, Steven Steven Reimer, Reimer, Colton is a very helpful, kind and

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Great job, Colton!

Quality producer of ARCO fuels

Sienna Sienna Boucher, Boucher, 12th 12th grade grade Taylyn DePauw, 12th grade Sienna Sienna is is motivated motivated to to succeed. succeed.

Sienna 12th grade Sienna Boucher, 12th 12th grade grade a go-getter in class.

Sienna Boucher, Boucher, 12th grade Taylyn is seriously

She Shecomes comes to tois class class prepared prepared to tolearn, learn, Sienna motivated to succeed.

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Sienna is motivated to succeed.

She dedicated on working assignments to and and tackles tackles tough tough assignments. assignments.

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This and her wonderful smile This Thisattitude attitude attitude and and her herher wonderful wonderful smile smile roster. She works diligently in the student This attitude and her wonderful smile will take her far in life. will will take take her her far far in in life. life. will take her far in life. mornings for the office welcoming people and giving tours to new students. She is a great ambassador for Blaine High School and will truly be missed after this year.

Morgan Morgan Zasccheo, Zasccheo, 7th 7th grade grade Morgan Morgan Zasccheo, Morgan Zasccheo, Zasccheo, Owen Bankston, Morgan Morgan has hasshown shownher her 7th grade 7th 7th grade grade 7th grade 8th grade dedication dedicationto toacademics. academics.

Morgan Morgan Morganhas has hasshown shown shownher her her Morgan has shown her Owen is highly creative, She She isisincredibly incredibly bright brightand and dedication to academics. dedication dedication to to academics. academics. dedication to academics. independent, and articulate. articulate.

She She is is willing willing She She Sheis is isincredibly incredibly incrediblybright bright brightand and and She is incredibly bright and motivated. He has to to share shareher herShe ideas, ideas, which which articulate. is willing articulate. articulate.

She She is is willing willing She is willing shown tremendous articulate. enriches enriches the thework work ofofthe the her which to toshare share share her herideas, ideas, ideas, which which to share her ideas, which improvement in his to whole whole class. class.

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Carrie Carrie Balback, Balback,1st 1stgrade grade Calyx Dexter, 1st grade Carrie Carrie is is a a delightful delightful first first grader! grader!

Carrie Carrie CarrieBalback, Balback, Balback,1st 1st 1stgrade grade grade 1st grade Calyxisisis has made great progress She She is ishelpful, helpful, attentive, attentive, Carrie a delightful first grader!

Carrie Carrie a a delightful delightful first first grader! grader!

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He’s a with with enthusiasm! enthusiasm! more challenging books more more challenging challenging books books more fun boy!challenging books with enthusiasm! with with enthusiasm! enthusiasm! with enthusiasm!

Jennifer Jennifer LaFoy, LaFoy, 4th 4th grade grade Jennifer Jennifer is is an an amazing amazing young young Jennifer 4th Jennifer LaFoy, LaFoy, 4th 4thgrade grade grade LaFoy, 4th grade Maribel Clark, Jennifer lady. lady.Every Every day day she shecomes comes Jennifer is amazing young Jennifer Jennifer is isan an an amazing amazing young young Jennifer is an amazing young 5th grade to toclass classearly earlyto tohelp helppass pass lady. lady. lady.Every Every Everyday day dayshe she shecomes comes comes lady.

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Evan Evan Larsen, Larsen, 1st 1stgrade grade Evan Evanis is an an attentive, attentive, kind kind hearted, hearted, Brenna Crews, Evan Evan EvanLarsen, Larsen, Larsen,1st 1st 1stgrade grade grade 1st grade 1st grade and and hardworking hardworking first first grader! grader!

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15

The Northern Light • January 30 - February 5, 2020

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Whatcom The folks who brought back the 4th of July County Council mandates curbside pickup

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By Meg OlsOn Whatcom County Council has approved 1 changes to county code that will eliminate exemptions to mandatory garbage pickup in Point Roberts.

At their June 5 meeting, council heard from an almost evenly split 15 community members on the proposal, which would establish a mandatory minimum service level of a 32-gallon can of garbage to be picked up twice-monthly and billed through the property tax roll.

Opponents of the proposal cited a number of reasons for their opposition, primarily that the minimum service level was too high. “This exceeds the needs of 80 FREE Community of Blaine and Birch Bay July 27 - August 2, 2017 percent of those surveyed (in a 2016 Newspaper online survey sponsored by the county solid HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer PRSRT STD waste division) who self-haul or use tags,” U. S. Postage Kimberly Butts said.

PAID IN THIS celebration, Permit NO. 87 the first since 1916. On June 20, they had Ken Calder, also opposed to the chang- s Back in 1976, a group of civic-minded people got together to plan a 4th of JulyBlaine, WA 98230 a reunion at Ruby White’s house. See story, page 16. Standing, from l.: Fred DeHaan, Rosy Negron, Carla Scherer, Pauli DeHaan, George es, submitted a petition signed by 364 sea- Scherer, Pat Jorgensen, Doreen Peltier. Seated: Norma Peltier, Ruby White, Kris Manning.

Photo by Shelley Damewood sonal and full-time residents asking that council delay the decision until September to allow a recently formed solid waste subcommittee of the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee to continue to look at the issue.

Cites client base and “increasing erts hospital district on June 26 that Unity according to Unity Care.

Those in favor of the change as well as Care NW would end its contract to proThe number of people being served at community turmoil” county staff pointed out that PRCAC had vide services on the Point as of December the Point Roberts Clinic, as well as the been pondering the garbage collection B y M e g O l s O n 31, 2018, but would provide services on a number of visits, have been declining, acfor over two years, held numerous public a n d P a t g r u B B month-to-month basis if needed until June cording to the resolution. The number of meetings, sponsored an online survey and 30, 2019 and help with a possible transi- visits per year shrank from 1176 to 1033 sent out a mailer.

Unity Care NW is done with the Point tion to an alternative service provider. between 2015 and 2017, which is deB y S t e fa n i e D O n a h u e “There have been numerous opportuni- Roberts clinic.

According to the June 25 resolution, the (See Hospital, page 8) Are impact fees the key to ties revitalfor people to put in their two cents’ Citing declining use, a disproportionate Point Roberts Clinic does not fit with izing downtown and incentivizing worth,” Arthur Reber said. “This process administrative burden and “communi- the other clinics Unity Care NW opergrowth in Blaine? has been very thorough and collaborative,” ty turmoil,” the board of directors of the ates in Ferndale and Bellingham, which The question was at the heartsaid of taxpayers’ an association president Mark non-profit health care provider voted at its it described as “patient centered medihour-long discussion between Blaine City Chamber of commerce president June 25 meeting to discontinue the con- cal homes.” Close to half of the visits to Robbins. allpointbulletin.com Council and city staff at a specialDee meetGough said her association also sup- tract to operate the Point Roberts Clinic. the Point Roberts clinic are for urgent facebook.com/allpointbulletin ing held July 24. Not yet ready toported makethe proposal, agreeing that mandaNotice was delivered to the Point Rob- care, and not for primary medical care, a decision, council voted unanimoustory trash pickup was the obvious solution ly during a separate meeting that eve-perennial problem of dumping garto the ning to request that city staff draftbage a proon the roadsides.

Classifieds ........................................ 20 posal based on four types of impactJeff fees Hegedus with the Whatcom County Coming Up ...................................... 19 and incentive programs – the council Health Department said by establishing a B y M e g O l s O n running three weekends in August. will either approve, deny or modify the Garden ............................................. 15 mandatory minimum service level for all Kiniski’s Reef Tavern is partnering with proposal in a few months.

Library ............................................ 18 developed properties, as determined by “The Point Roberts Arts and Music the foundation, offering a location, planImpact fees are one-time charges that Obituaries ........................................ 22 counties, cities and towns imposewhich on de-properties have a water connection, Festival is back on the water,” says Arts ning assistance and funds for this year’s it would lead to vendor stability because Foundation founder and festival organizer event.

“We decided to make it longer so Opinion .............................................. 4 velopers. The funds are used to extend moreInusers would support the system. Craig Jacks. more people can enjoy it,” said tavern public services to support growth.

Seniors ............................................ 18 After being put on the shelf for a year, manager Allison Calder. The first weekend Washington state, impact fees can be used Tides ................................................ 10 (See Garbage, page 7) the festival will be back for its 23rd year, (See Arts & Music, page 14) on public streets, roads, publicly-owned parks, open space, recreation facilities, school facilities and fire protection facilities. Impact fees and other development incentives have already been written into s Droves of sand sculptors took part in the Birch Bay Sand Sculpture contest July 22-23. More photos on page 15.

Photo by Chuck Kinzer the Blaine’s comprehensive plan, which deAFTER PARADE FAMILY ACTIVITIES: BEGIN THE DAY AT THE tails how to accommodate growth over the next 20 years.

H Breakwaters Bar & Grill Community Center 1437 Gulf Rd. STARTS AT 12 NOON along POINT ROBERTS MARINA “These are things we’ve been looking atPancake Breakfast 7:15-11:15 am PREP benefit at Point Roberts Marina. for a while,” said community development Gulf Rd. from Marine Dr. to Tyee Dr. AT 10:30 PM Flag Raising Ceremony 11:30 am featuring PR Winds H Kiniski’s Reef Tavern director Michael Jones. “The comprehensive plan and what you’ve already adopt- B y O l i v e r l a z e n B y child will be turned away on the basis of a not being able to pay for lunch, including anything from stamping kids’ hands ed recognizes the idea that there has to be zero or negative balance account.”

In some school districts, if a stuThose guidelines aren’t new, but they’re as a reminder to bring money, to denying enough financial capacity of the city to continue to do its job and provide the services dent doesn’t have lunch, they don’t in writing for the first time in response to them a lunch tray. and things that it needs to do while taking eat. In others, they get a cheese sand- new U.S. Department of Agriculture regBlaine’s guidelines say students won’t this into consideration.” wich to eat in front of their classmates ulations that require school districts to get turned away at the lunch counter, even The city has already started developing who are toting trays of corndogs, baked communicate, in writing, what they’ll do if they already have a negative balance when students can’t pay for lunch. on their account. Instead, they’ll either a revised impact fee ordinance out of a re- beans, fruit and vegetables. quest from the state legislature for all citFor the most part, that’s not the case at The new federal rules are aimed at end- get a regular meal and some more debt Blaine schools. The district’s guidelines for ing “lunch shaming,” a term for a variety (See Fees, page 2) dealing with unpaid lunch debt state, “No of practices that single students out for (See Lunch, page 6)

A visitor’s guide to Blaine and Birch Bay, page 7

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School district publishes policy against “lunch shaming”

Tall ship Lady Washington sets sail for annual maritime festival B y S t e fa n i e D O n a h u e In just a matter of days, tall ship Lady Washington will appear in Drayton Harbor – the vessel is a full-scale replica of the first American ship to touch land on the west coast of North America in 1788.

Lady Washington typically pairs with the Hawaiian Chieftain for trips along

the coast, but crews had to leave the steel-clad Hawaiian vessel moored in Port Townsend for routine repair, said operations director with Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, Caitlin Stanton. Grays Harbor Historical Seaport organizes trips along the west coast to educate the public about maritime history and traditions.

Crews maneuvering Lady Washington

through the Pacific’s brisk waters are set to make a stop in Blaine from August 3 to 6 during Drayton Harbor Days, offering a slew of local cruise excursions and tours.

Here’s a look at what’s in store: Vessel Tours: The tours are offered throughout Lady Washington’s stay in Blaine. Stanton said they offer the public

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 TICKETS: $45

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